A turning point in Frank Casey's career
Ivorian star Franck Kessié, the Al-Ahli Saudi FC midfielder, is experiencing a state of anticipation and uncertainty regarding his footballing future during the upcoming summer transfer window. The player's options are torn between remaining with the ambitious sporting project in Saudi Arabia or returning to the Italian leagues where he first rose to prominence.
Historical context: Casey and Italy... a past success story
Franck Kessié's association with Serie A is no coincidence; the Ivorian star boasts a rich and successful history in the Italian league. He began his illustrious professional career with Atalanta before moving to AC Milan, where he achieved great success, leading the Rossoneri to the Serie A title in the 2021-2022 season and becoming one of the team's key players. After a stint with FC Barcelona, during which he won the La Liga title, Kessié moved to the Saudi Professional League in the summer of 2023, becoming part of the major transformation taking place in Saudi football.
Al-Ahli Saudi moves to secure its star player
Faced with this news, Al Ahly's management is not standing idly by. According to the Italian newspaper Tuttosport, the club is putting significant pressure on Franck Kessié to renew his contract, which is set to expire on June 30th. Al Ahly's management is seeking to extend the player's contract for two more seasons, offering a financial incentive of up to a 10% increase on his current salary to ensure he remains the midfield leader.
A fierce Italian battle: Juventus in the lead
Meanwhile, Italian clubs are open to the return of the Ivorian star. The report indicated that Fiorentina had already tried to sign the player in recent months, but Kessie was not very enthusiastic about the move, preferring a transfer to a club that competes for major titles.
This is where Juventus' role comes in, as they have been monitoring Kessie's situation for several months. Sources have revealed that the Bianconeri management held a crucial meeting with the player's agent in late January, and communication channels remained open until recent weeks. Details indicate that Juventus is prepared to submit a formal two-year contract offer with an annual salary of five million euros, plus performance-related bonuses, and an option to extend the contract for a third season based on the player's appearances and contributions.
Inter and Roma are monitoring the situation
The interest wasn't limited to Juventus; the Italian newspaper also noted that Kessie is attracting serious interest from Roma and Inter Milan. A move to Inter Milan, in particular, could be a major transfer event given his past with their arch-rivals, AC Milan. Ultimately, the final decision rests with the player himself.
The expected impact of the decision, both locally and internationally
This potential deal is of paramount importance on several levels. Locally and regionally, keeping Franck Kessié at Al-Ahli would provide significant stability for the team, which is striving to compete strongly for domestic and continental titles. Furthermore, retaining elite players enhances the marketing value and competitiveness of the Saudi league globally.
On the international and European level, Kessie’s return to the Italian league would bring about a tangible change in the balance of power, especially if he joins Juventus or Inter, as the player possesses the physical strength and tactical experience that would enable him to make an immediate difference in the midfield of any major European team.
